Apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils



y 1934- J. F. DONNELLY 1,957,945

APPARATUS FOR THE CONVERSION OF HYDROCARBON OILS Filed April 24.1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 -75sep/z onrzel/ lflz'rwss: v 5 6 3 I am,

y 4- J. F. DONNELLY 1,957,945

APPARATUS FOR THE CONVERSION OF HYDROCARBON OILS Filed April 24. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 jwerilo'r: Jaseph ,z porznelgy' May 8,"l934.- J. DONNELLY APPARATUS FOR rniavcouvsasxon ormnbaaaon OILS Filed April 24. 1926 v 3 SheetS-Sheei 3' mph r w gy- R a, M.H--H-. WM, Q B I 3. Q 8 P Q a 1 R 8..

Patented May 8, 1934 PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR THE CONVERSION OF HYDROCARBON OILS Joseph F. Donnelly, Lemont, 111., assignor to Donnelly Process Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a

corporation of Nevada Application April 24, 1926, Serial No. 104,364

28 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for the conversion of heavy hydrocarbon oils into lighter hydrocarbon oils, and the present application relates to an apparatus for carrying out the process which is the subject matter of my co-pending application Serial 104,365, filed April 24, 1926 and is a continuation as to common subject matter of my co-pending application Serial Number 751,250 filed November 21, 1924.

It is an object of my invention to eifect the conversion of the heavier oils in such a manner that the final products possess chemical characteristics more nearly approximating those of the natural hydrocarbon oils than have heretofore been produced by cracking processes.

Another object is to effect the production of the desired lighter end products without reducing the heavier products of conversion to the form of solid end products such as hard carbon or coke.

Another object is to separate the residue from the products which it is desired to. subject to the conversioncycle, and keep the residue in liquid solution by adding thereto lighter solvent oils in such quantity as will prevent the residue from being reduced to solid end products such as free carbon or coke.

Another object is to establish such physical condition of operation that the formationof hydrocarbon and coke in the apparatus is avoided. Another object is to prevent excessive decomposition of the heavier constituents which constitute marketable products, such as fuel oils, lubricating oils and waxes, while at the same time permitting such dissociation as is necessary to efiect the production of the desired lighter products.

Another object is to utilize the heat of the reaction products to distill a mass of crude oil in such a manner that the products of distillation from said crude oil intermingle with the products of the cracking reaction and undergo treatment in the cycle of operation therewith.

A further object is to control the temperature of the zones of fractional condensation by a heat interchange between the vapors it is desiredto condense and the cooler crude oil.

A further object is to-blend selected lighter fractions of the crude oil, which are separated by fractional distillation with the fresh oil and selected condensates of the cracking reaction to form the makeup of the cycle oil.

Other objects and advantages of my process will appear hereinafter.

In order to render my invention clear, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which I disclose a preferred form of apparatus.

In the drawings, Fig. l is an elevation partly in cross section of my apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation partly in cross section, showing a portion of the expansion chamber and fluid-controlling valve of the apparatus.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3-3 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a plan view taken on line 4-4 on Fig. 2, showing the valve body and connected nozzles. 1 is a pipe still havinga continuous coil of pipe 2 therein in which the oil to be heated is subjected to the heating step of the cycle of treatment. A pump 3 supplies the oil to the coil 2 through a connected pipe 4. A gauge 5 indicates the pressure on the oil in said pipe. The heated oil is delivered from the coil 2 through a connected pipe 6 to an expansion chamber '7. A fluid-controlling valve 8 is located between the pipe 6 and the expansion chamber '7. The valve 8 is the subject of my co-pending application Serial #253,545 filed Jan. 25, 1926. The valve 8 is provided with a body member 9 having a chamber 10 therein,

to which is connected the pipe 6. A tubular mernber 11 forms the outlet from the chamber 10. The member 11 has a valve seat thereon at its inner end, upon which operates a valve head 12 which is actuated by a stem 13 adapted to receive an operating member at 14. The tubular member 11 extends through the body member 9, a portion thereof being threaded as shown at 15. Surrounding the projecting end of the member 11 is a tubular jacket 16 having an enlarged portion 17 thereon, which is threaded on the threaded portion of the member 11 and abuts the body member 9 of the valve 8. The enlarged portion 17 thus acts as a locking member to firmly hold the tubular member 11 in operative position in the body 9 of the valve 8. A bushing 18 surrounds the stem 13 and forms a closure member between the chamber 10 and the packing chamber of a packing box19 which is an integral extension of the body 9. The packing box 19 is provided with a compression member 20. The compression member 20 is provided with a flange 21 through which pass a pair of pillar posts 22 whic are threaded as shown and carry nuts 23 which bear against the flange 21 and hold the compression member 20 in the desired adjusted position against the packing in the packing box 19. The pillar posts 22 are removably attached to a packing box 19 and are held in place therein by nuts 24. By removing the nuts 24 the entire mechanism attached to the pillar posts 22 including the valve head ,12 and stem 13 may be removed from the body 9 as a unit. The chamber 10 in the body member is formed by a transverse bore which is closed at one end by a closure member 25 having a seat 26 thereon which contacts with a seat 27 on the body member 9. A gasket may be interposed between the seats 26 and 27, as shown. The end of the pipe 6 is formed so as to mate with the annular seat 28 on the body member 9 at the opposite end of the bore forming the chamber 10. A flange 29 is attached to the pipe 6 and the closure member 25 is formed with the flange 30. Bolts 31 pass through openings in the flanges 29 and 30 and are provided with nuts 32. By means of these bolts and nuts the pipe 6 and the closure member 25 are drawn toward each other, thereby holding them firmly in fluid tight contact with the body member 9. The body member 9 has a passage 33 therein leading to an annular recess.34 in the enlarged portion 17 of the member 11. Passages 35 lead from the annular recess 34 into a chamber 36 which opens into the annular space 37 between the member 11 and the jacket 16. The expansion chamber 7 is provided with a partition 38 in the centre of which is mounted. a tubular, member 39. The ,tubular member 39 extends over a portion of the jacket 16 and member 11 as shown in Fig. 2. The expansion chamber 7 is provided with a flange 40, which is bolted to a flange 41 secured to the body member 9. By this construction a chamber 42 is formed in the expansion chamber 7 between the partition 33 and flange 41. Attached to the expansion chamber 7 and leading into the chamber 42 is an oil conducting pipe 43 which leads to the base of a tower 44. In the present form of apparatus the expansion chamber 7 is formed with a. restricted portion which passes through the wall of the tower 44 and an enlarged portion which is located within the base of the tower 44 and extends to a point near the bottom thereof, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. The chamber 7 is provided with a series of outlet pipes 45 at the lower ends thereof, which have downwardly extending ends. The lower end of the chamber 7 is provided with a flange 46 to which is attached a plate 47, so positioned with respect to the flange 47 as to leave a space therebetween so as to form a circular outlet at right angles to the chamber 7. The discharge of the streams of fluid through theannular outlet and downwardly extending ends of the pipes 45 is caused by this construction to meet at right angles, thereby preventing a surging action which would arise by reason of the discharging streams of the side walls of the tower.

The tower 44 is constructed so as to provide a series of zones of decreasing temperature adapted to subject the vapors therein to fractional condensation, and provide a distilling section in the base thereof. The products of conversation are first passed into the base of the tower 44 which fluid striking against is normally filled to the desired level with residue oil. The level of the liquid in the base is indicated by a dotted line on Fig. 1. A jacket of heat insulating material 48, surrounds the base of the tower and'is co-extensive with the level of the liquid in said base. The level of the liquid in the base is determined by a gauge 49 which is provided with a series of trycocks 50. A series of condensing baflle plates 51 are located above the liquid in the base. The vapors which pass the bafiles 51 pass upwardly through a trap 52 which is composed of an annular plate 53, having a central opening therethrough, over which a drum 54,

delivered to the tank 66 constitute final end prodis mounted. A plate 55 closes the upper end of the drum 54. The drum 54 is provided with a series of openings 56 through which the uncondensed vapors pass into a second zone of lower temperature within the tower. Within this second zone are mounted a series of condensing bafile plates 57. From this second zone the uncondensed vapors pass into a third zone of lower temperature through a trap 58, similar in construction to the trap 52. Within this third zone is located a series of condensing bafile plates 59. Above the battle plates 59 is located a tubular condenser 60 which is provided with a supply of cooling water through an inlet pipe 61. A water outlet pipe is provided at 62. The uncondensed vaporswhich pass through the condenser 60 are conducted through a pipe 63 to a coil in a cooling. box 64 and from thence through a pipe 65 into a rundown tank 66. The condensates which are ucts such 'as gasoline.

For the purpose of treating crude oil simultaneously with the cracked products, a heat interchange is caused to take place between the cracked products and crude oil, in such a manner that the crude oil acts as a temperature regulator for the zones of fractional condensation and at same time is subjected to fractional distillation. The liquid and vaporous products of the fractional distillation of the crude oil are caused to blend with the liquid and vaporous products of the cracking reaction and undergo treatment with them. To this end I have provided a jacket 67 around the shell of the tower opposite the location of the third zone of lower temperature into which I introduce crude oil through a pipe 68. The level of the crude oil is allowed to rise to a predetermined height in the jacket 67 which is determined by anoverflow pipe 69 which leads to a jacket 70 around the shell of the tower opposite the location of the second zone of lower temperature. The level of the oil in the jacket 70 is determined by an overflow pipe 71 which leads to the base of the tower at 72 and'also through a valve controlled branch pipe 73 into the vapor 12,",

space above the liquid in said base. The over flow pipes 69 and 71 are provided with downwardly extending legs as shown, and also with vents at 74 to preventsiphonic action. Overflow pipes 75 and 76, provided with vents 77, are connected to traps 58-and 52 and are provided with control valves 78 and 79. These overflow pipes discharge into a common pipe 80, which leads to a coil in a cooling box 81, from whence a pipe 82 leads to branch pipes 83 and 84, discharging into tanks 85 and 86. The tanks 85 and 86 are provided with auxiliary inlets 87 and 88 by which the tanks may be supplied with oil from an outside source when desired. The upper portions of jackets 67 and 70 constitute vapor spaces in which 35 collect the vapors from the heated oil in said jackets. The vapors thus produced are permitted to pass from the jackets 67 and 70 into the interior of the tower through openings 89 and 90 in the walls of the tower. These vapors blend with 1 the vapors of the cracking reaction and undergo treatment therewith.

The temperature of the third zone is maintained at such a degree that the condensates which collect in the trap 58 are of kerosene series. The temperature maintained in the second zone is such that the condensates collected in the trap 52 answerto the specifications of gas oil. The first zone including the base is maintained at such a temperature that .the oil collected therein,

' 44, by way of a pipe 102.

answers to the specifications of fuel oil. It will be understood that while I have designated oils suchas gasoline, kerosene, gas oil and fuel oil, as produced in the several zones mentioned, other fractions may be produced when desired by suitable regulation of the temperature in said zones.

When it is desired to use a kerosene as the cracking stock, the cycle oil is drawn from the trap 58, by the pipe 91iwhich connects with the pipe 92, leading to the inlet of the pump 3. The pipe 91 has a valve 93 therein. Pipe 92 leads to the trap 52 and has a valve 94 therein. When operating on kerosene as a cracking stock, the valve 93 in pipe 91 is open, and the valve 94 in pipe 92 is closed. At this time the valve 78 in pipe 75, is closed, and the valve 79 in pipe 76 is open. A control valve in the branch pipe 83 is closed at this time and a control valve in the branch pipe 84 is open, allowing the gas oil from trap 52 to pass into the tank 86.

When it is desiredto operate on gas oil as a cracking stock, the cycle oil is drawn from trap 52 by way of pipe 92, and is fed to the inlet of pump 3. When operating in this manner, the valve 93, in pipe 91 is closed, and the valve 94 in pipe 92 is open. At the same time valve 79 in pipe 76 is closed, and valve 78 in pipe is open. Also the control valve in branch pipe 84 is closed, and the control valve in branch pipe 83 is open, allowing the kerosene from trap 58 to pass to the 'tank 85. Separate valve controlled outlets 95 and 96 lead from the tanks 85 and 86 which connect with the pipe 97,- leading to the inlet of a pump 98. A pipe 99 connects the outlet of the pump 98 with a coil 100, located in a receptacle 101, through which flows the hot residue oil from the base of the tower The receptacle 101 is provided with an outlet 103. From the coil 100, the oil which has been pre-heated by a heat interchange with the hot residue oil from the base of the tower flows through a valve controlled pipe 104 into a coil 105 located in the base of the tower 44 where it absorbs heat from the residue oil in the base of the tower. From the coil 105 heated oil passes upwardly through a pipe 106 from which it may discharge through a valve controlled branch pipe 107 into the trap 52 or through a valve controlled branch pipe 108 into the trap 58. Leading .from the pipe 104 is a pipe 109 having a control valve 110 therein and connected to said pipe 109 is a branch pipe 111 having a control valve 112 therein. The oil leaving the coil 100, may be wholly or partially passed through the pipe 109, or wholly or partially passed through the pipe 104 by a regulation of the controlling valves in these pipes. By regulating valve 110 in pipe 109 and valve 112 in branch pipe 111 the oil from pipe 109 may be passed either into the trap 58 or the trap 52. When kerosene 'is being used as a cracking stock, it may be drawn from the tank 85, and supplied to the pump 98 which forces it through the pipe 109 into the trap 58, at which time the valve 110 is open and the valve 112 is closed] When gas oil is being used as a cracking stock it may be drawn from the tank 86 and supplied to the pump 98 which forces it through the pipe 109 into the trap 52, at which time thevalve 112 will be open and the valve 110 closed.

In practice the apparatus is so proportioned as to extract from the crude oil treated suificient cracking stock such as kerosene or gas oil to supply the cracking operation. If, due to certain conditions of operation or the nature of the crude oil treated, it is found that the necessary amount of cracking stock may not be extracted from the crude being treated, the necessary additional amount of such cracking stock may be drawn from the tanks 85 and 86, which are fur-. nished with an auxiliary supply through the inlets 87 and 88.

A valve controlled outlet pipe 113 is connected to the trap 52 which allows a regulated quantity of the condensates to flow from the trap .52 into the base of the tower where they first come in contact with the vapors rising from the oil in the base, and then descend in cascade fashion over the plates 51 and finally blend with the oil in the base, acting as temperature regulator and also as a solvent to keep the residue oil in the base from being reduced to a condition whereby solid end products are formed, such as coke and free carbon. The temperature of these condensates and rising vapors may be further controlled by a cooling jacket 114, which may be furnished with cooling water or other cooling agent such as oil if desired. The jacket 114 is provided with inlet and outlet piping for the cooling agent as shown. The temperature of the residue oil is further controlled by'the heat interchange taking place between the residue oil in the base and the oil passing through the coil 105. Temperature indicators such as thermometers and thermocouples 115 are placed in position where it is desirable to obtain temperature readings. A valve controlled-by-pass 116 is provided for use when starting up the operation, whereby the oil from the base may-be circulated through the heating coil 2 of the still 1, and back to the base until the normal operating temperature is obtained.

In starting the operation the cracking stock may be drawn from either of the tanks 85 or 86 by the pump 98 and fed through the coil 100 and either or both of the pipes 104 or 109 into the traps 52 and 58, from which it is fed through the pipes 91 and 92 into the inlet of the pump 3 which forces the oil through the heating coil and pipe 6 into the expansion chamber 7. from whence it is delivered into the base of the tower 44 and fills the same up to the desired level, as indicated by the dotted line in Fig. l. The level in the base may be determined at any time by the gauge 49. During this preliminary filling operation the valves 7.8 and 79in pipes 75 and 76 are closed. When the desired level of the oil in the apparatus as indicated. by the dotted lines in Fig. 1 is reached the circulation of the oil from the tanks 85 or 86, asthe case may be,

is discontinued, and the valve in the by-pass 116 is opened. The oil in the base is then passed by way of pipe 102 receptacle 101 and by-pass 116 to the inlet of the pump 3, by which it is passed through the coil 2 and pipe 6 to the expansion chamber 7, from which it enters the base. During this preliminary circulation to and from the base, as described, the furnace in pipe still 1 is in operation applying heat to the oil as it passes through the coil 2. When the oil in the system has reached its normal operating temperature the valve in the by-pass 116 is closed and thereafter during normal operation the supply to the pump 3 is drawn from the traps 52 or 58, as the case may be. Liquid level gauges 117 are provided as shown which indicate the liquid level in the traps 52 and 58. i

The oil leaving the pipe 6 at approximately 900 F. under the regulation of the controlling valve 8 passes through the tubular member 11 and is released at the outer end thereof into the in the outer portion of the member 39. This jet tubular member 39 where it enters a zone of lower pressure and forms an expanding fluid jet action creates a suction on the oil in the chamber 42 drawing it into the tubular member39 and discharging it with the heated expanding oil, into the expansion chamber 7. The oil delivered from the chamber 42 is cooler than the heated oil discharged from the tubular member 11 which is at a cracking temperature and actsto check the cracking reaction of the heated oil which is discharged into expansion chamber 7 in such a manner that the cracking reaction does not procced beyond the limits where a further cracking reaction would be productive of solid end products, such as free carbon and coke. The cracking reaction is also checked in this manner before the marketable products, such as the lubricating and wax constituents thereof are destroyed by decomposition. In order to protect the oil in the chamber 42 from having direct contact with the heated tubular member 11, steam is fed through a pipe 118, into the passage 33, and recess 34, from whence it flows through the passage 35 into the chamber 36 and annular space 37 between the tubular jacket 16 and the tubular member 11. In this manner solid deposits of carbon or coke on the tubular member 11 which might otherwise be caused by local overheating are avoided. The steam will also assist thereafter in the fractional distillation. The cooler oil from the chamber 42 will in addition to checking the cracking reaction within the chamber 7 act to control the amount of vaporization elfected therein, and thereby retain alarger proportion of the highly volatile oils in the liquid form and also reduce the tendency toward the formation of gases. The lighter oils, which are thus kept in the liquid phase have a solvent action which also acts to prevent the formation of solid end products. The temperature of the residue.

oil is maintained at such a point as to prevent a reduction of said residue oil to the point where solid end products are formed by the excessive removal therefrom the lighter constituents by vaporization which lighter constituents act as solvents. In addition solvent oil may also be drawn from the trap 52 and passed into the residue oil in the base by means of the valve controlled pipe 113. I

The crude oil which is supplied through pipe 68 into the jacket 67 is stripped of lighter fractions by vaporization which pass into the tower through the openings 89 and blend with the vapors passing into the condenser 60. The remaining fractions of the crude then pass through the overflow pipe 69 into the jacket 70 wherein a further distillation at a higher temperature takes place, the vapors thus produced in the jacket 70 passing through the openings 56 into the zone above the trap 58 wherein the kerosene fractions are extracted. The unvaporized oil in the jacket 70 which may be termed a reduced crude passes through the overflow 71 and may be led through either or both of the valve controlled pipes '72 and 73 into the base of the tower,

whereby such oil may be directly blended with the residue oil in the base through the pipe 72 or passed in heat-interchanging contact with the vapors arising from the residue oil through the pipe 73. The gas oil fractions of the oil thus introduced into the base from the jacket 70 are vaporized and blended with the vapors passing through the openings 56in the trap 52", into of lower pressure, means the zone above the trap 52, wherein the gas oil fractions are condensed.

In carrying out my process in a typical run on a characteristic Mid-Continent gas oil of the following specifications-Baum gravity 34 initial boiling point 405 F.maximum boiling point 780 F., a single pass through the coil 102 of the cracking stock resulted in a product having an initial boiling point of 75 F. and contained fractions vaporizing between 75 F. and 374 F. as tested by the Bureau of Mines method. This result was obtained without the formation of solid end products, such as free carbon and coke. The pressure carried on the heating coil 2 throughout the run was 1050 pounds per square inch, and the temperature at the delivery end of the coil 2 was 890 F. By careful tests I, have determined that the percentage of conversion of the heavy oils into lighter oils may be carried up to 15 to 24 per cent without formation of solid end products such as free carbon and coke. It will be understood, however, that these percentages may vary with oils of difierent characteristics.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that my apparatus provides a means of combined topping and cracking, wherein the vaporization incident to the topping is effected by heat interchange with the heated products of the cracking reaction, and the vapors of the topping reaction undergo fractional condensation with the vapors of the cracking reaction. The cracking stock is made up in part of freshly produced clean condensates of the vapors of the cracking reaction; and also freshly produced oil extracted from the crude oil by fractional distillation and condensation which is effected simultaneously with and jointly treated with the products of the cracking reaction. It will be seen that the cracking stock, which is recycled to the action of the heating step of the cycle is not intermingled with the residue oil and therefrom constitutes what is known as clean stock which is particularly adapted to a crack reaction, wherein it is desired to avoid formation of solid end products.

\ It is within the scope of my invention to check the dissociation of the heated oil either before vaporization or simultaneously therewith. The checking of the dissociation by reduction in temperature may take place upon the introduction of the heated oil into the base of the tower 44 upon coming in contact with the cooler oil in said base, in which case the prior step of cooling may be omitted. The temperature of the oil in the base sates for the re-cycle oil which must be of a definite nature to permit of successful treatment in the heating step of the cycle of treatment. When the prior cooling step is omitted the heated oil may be carried under pressure directly up to its introduction into the cooler oil in the base of the tower where the pressure is released and expansion occurs.

I claim:

I 1. In an. apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils the combination of means for heating a mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil to a cracking temperature, a receptacle forming a zone for discharging said heated oil into said receptacle, a second receptacle adapted to contain a mass of hydrocarbon oil cooler than the products in said first named receptacle, means for discharging all'the products from said first named receptacle into the cooler oil in said second named receptacle, means for discharging oil from said second named receptacle into said first named receptacle, means for subjecting the vaporized and uncondensed products formed in said second named receptacle to fractional condensation, means for introducing a portion of the condensates of said fractional condensation into said mass of cooler oil in said second named receptacle, means for mixing a mass of fresh oil with a separated and selected uniform portion of said condensates and means for introducing the mixture thus formed into said heating means. b

2. In an apparatus-for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils the combination of means for heating a mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil to a cracking temperature, a receptacle forming a zone of lower pressure, means for discharging said heated oil into said receptacle, a second receptacle adapted to contain a mass of hydrocarbon oil cooler than the products in said first named receptacle, means for discharging oil from said second named receptacle into said first named receptacle, means for discharging all the products from said first named receptacle into the cooler oil in said second named receptacle, means for introducing a separate mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil into said second named receptacle and means for subjecting the vaporized and uncondensed products formed in said second named receptacle to fractional condensation.

3. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils the combination of means for heating a mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil to a cracking temperature, a receptacle forming a zone of lower pressure, means for discharging said heated oil into said receptacle, a second receptacle adapted to contain a mass of hydrocarbon oil cooler than the products in said first named receptacle, means for discharging oil from said second named receptacle into said first named receptacle, means for discharging all the products from said first named receptacle into the cooler oil in said second named receptacle, means for introducing a separate mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil into said second named receptacle, means for subjecting the vaporized and uncondensed products formed in said second named receptacle to fractional condensation and means for introducing a portion of the condensates of said fractional condensation into said second named receptacle.

4. In an apparatus for the conversion ofhydrocarbon oils the combination of means for heating a massof relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil to a cracking temperature, a receptacle forming a zone of lower pressure, means for discharging said heated oil into said receptacle, a second receptacle adapted to contain a mass of hydrocarbon oil cooler than the products formed in said first named receptacle, means for, discharging the products formed in said first named receptacle into the cooler oil in said second named receptacle, means for introducing a separate mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil into said second named receptacle, means for subjecting the vaporized and uncondensed products formed in said second named receptacle to fractional condensation, means for introducing a portion of the condensates of said fractional condensation into said second named receptacle, means for preheating a mass of fresh oil by -a heat interchange with the mixture of oils in said second named receptacle, means for mixing said mass of preheated fresh oil with a separate portion of the condensates of said fractional condensation and means for introducing said mixture of fresh oil and condensates into said heating means.

5. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils the combination of means for heating a mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil to a cracking temperature, a receptacle forming a zone of lower pressure, means for dischargingsaid heated oil into said receptacle, a second receptacleadapted to contain a mass of hydrocarbon oil cooler than the products formed in said first named receptacle, means for discharging the products formed in said first named receptacle into the cooler oil in said second named receptacle, means for subjecting the vaporized and uncondensed products formed in said second named receptacle to fractional condensation in a series of zones of decreasing temperature, means for controlling the temperature of each of said zones of decreasing temperature by a heat interchange with a separated mass of hydrocarbon oil in such a manner as to cause a fractional distillation of said separated mass of oil aiid means for introducing the vaporized fractions of said separated mass of ,oil into the vapors undergoing said fractional condensation.

6. In an apparatus for the conversion of hy= drocarbon oils the combination of means for.

heating a mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil to a cracking temperature, a receptacle formeing a zone of lower pressure, means for dis= chaging said heated oil into said receptacle, a second receptacle adapted to contain a mass of hydrocarbon oil cooler than the products formed in said first named receptacle, means for discharging the products formed in said first named receptacle into the cooler oil in said s'ec=- ond named receptacle, means for subjecting the vaporized and uncondensed products formed in said second named receptacle to fractional condensation in a series of zones of decreasing tern perature, means for controlling the temperature of a zone of said series having a relatively low temperature by a heat interchange with. a separated fresh mass of crude oil in such a manner as to cause vaporization of lighter constituents thereof, means for mixing said vaporized lighter constituents with the vapors undergoing condensation in said zone of relatively low temperature so as to undergo treatment therewith, means for passing the unvaporized fractions of said crude oil from said zone of relatively low temperature into heat interchanging relation with a zone of relatively higher temperature of said series so as to control the temperature thereof and vaporize lighter constituents of said unvaporized fractions of said crude oil and means for mixing the lighter constituents thus vaporized with the vapors undergoing condensation in said zone of relatively higher temperature so as to undergo treatment therewith.

'7. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils the combination of means for heating a mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil to a cracking temperature, a receptacle forming a zone of lower pressure, means for discharging said heated oil into said receptacle, a second receptacle adapted to contain a mass of hydrocarbon oil cooler than the products formed in said first named receptacle, means for discharging the products formed in said first named remeans for controlling the temperature of a zone of said series having a relatively low temperature by a heat interchange with a separated mass of crude oil in such a manner as-to cause vaporization of lighter constituents thereof, means for mixing said vaporized lighter constituents with the vapors undergoing condensation in said zone of relatively low temperature so as to undergo treatment therewith, means for passing the unvaporized fractions of said crude oil from said zone of relatively low temperature into heat interchanging relation with the zone of relatively higher temperature of said series so as to control the temperature thereof and vaporize lighter constituents of said unvaporized fractions of said crude oil, means for mixingthe lighter constituents thus vaporized with the vapors undergoing condensation in said zone of relatively higher temperature so as to undergo treatment therewith and means for passing the unvaporized fractions of said crude oil into said second named receptacle containing said cooler oil.

8. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils the combination of means for heating a mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil to a cracking temperature, a receptacle forming a zone of lower pressure, means for discharging s'aid heated oil into said receptacle, a second receptacle adapted'to contain a mass of hydrocarbon oil cooler than the products formed in said first named receptacle, means for discharging the products formed in said first named receptacle into the cooler oil in said second named receptacle, means for subjecting the vaporized and uncondensed products formed in said second named receptacle to fractional condensation in a series. of zones of decreasing temperature, means or controlling the temperature of a zone of said series having a relatively low temperature by a heat interchange with a separated mass of crude oil in such a manner as to cause vaporization of lighter constituents thereof, means for mixing said vaporized lighter constituents with the vapors undergoing condensation in said zone of relatively low temperature so as to undergo treatment therewith, means for passing the unvaporized fractions of said crude oil from said zone of relatively low temperature into heat interchanging relation with the zone of relatively higher temperature of said series so as to control the temperature thereof and vaporize lighter constituents of said unvaporized fractions of said crude oil, means for mixing the lighter constituents. thus vaporized with the vapors undergoing condensation in said zone of relatively higher temperature so as to undergo treatment therewith and means for passing the unvaporized fractions of said crude oil into heat interchanging mixture with said vaporized and uncondensed products in said second named receptacle which are separated from said cooler oil and also into direct intermixture with said cooler oil.

9. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils the combination of means for,

heating a mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil to a cracking temperature, a receptacle forming a zone of lower pressure, means for discharging said heated oil into said receptacle, a

second receptacle adapted to contain a mass of hydrocarbon oil cooler than the products formed in said first named receptacle, means for discharging the products formed in said first named receptacle into the cooler oil in said second named receptacle, means for subjecting the vaporized and uncondensed products formedin said second named receptacle to fractional condensation in a series of zones of decreasing temperature, means for controlling thetemperature of a zone of said series having a relatively low temperature by a heat interchange with a separated mass of crude oil in such a manner as to cause vaporization of lighter constituents thereof, means for mixing said vaporized lighter constituents with the vapors undergoing condensation in said zone of relatively low temperature so as to undergo treatment therewith, means for removing the condensates from said zone of relatively low temperature as an intermediate product, means for passing the unvaporized fractions of said crude oil from said zone of relatively low temperature into heat interchanging relation with a zone of relatively higher temperature of said series in such a manner as to control the temperature thereof and vaporize lighter constituents of said unvaporized fractions of said crude oil, means for mixing the lighter constituents thus vaporized with the vapors undergoing condensation in a zone of relatively higher temperature so as to undergo treatment therewith, and means for introducing the condensates from said zone of relatively higher temperature into said heating means.

10. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils the combination of means for heating a mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil to a cracking temperature, a receptacle forming a zone of lower pressure, means for discharging said heated oil into said receptacle, a second receptacle adapted to contain a mass of hydrocarbon oil cooler than the products formed in said first named receptacle, means for discharging the products formed in said first named receptacle into the cooler oil in said second named receptacle, means for subjecting the vaporized and uncondensed products formed in said second named receptacle to fractional condensation in a series of zones of decreasing temperature. means for controlling the temperature of a zone of said series having a relatively low temperature by a heat interchange with a separated mass of crude oil in such a manner as to cause vaporization of lighter constituents thereof, means for mixing said vaporized lighter constituents with the vapors undergoing condensation in said zone of relatively low temperature so as to undergo treatment therewith, means for mixing a fresh mass of oil with the condensates from said zone of relatively low temperature, means for introducing the mixture thus formed into said heating means, means for passing the unvaporized fractions of said crude oil from said zone of relatively low temperature into heat interchanging relation with a zone of relatively higher temperature of said series in such a manner as to control the temperature thereof and vaporize lighter constituents of said unvaporized fractions of said crude oil, means for mixing the lighter constituents thus vaporized with the vapors undergoing condensation in said zone of relativelyhigher temperature so as to undergo treatment therewith and means for removing the condensates from said zone of relatively higher temperature as an intermediate product.

11. In an apparatus for the conversion of hy- I drocarbon oils the combination of means for heating a mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil to a cracking temperature, a receptacle forming a zone of lower pressure, means for discharging said heated oil into said receptacle, a second receptacle adapted to contain a mass of hydrocarbon .oil cooler than the products formed in said first named receptacle, means for discharging the products formed in said first named receptacle into the cooler oil in said second named receptacle, means for subject'ng the vaporized and uncondensed products formed in said second named receptacle to fractional condensation in a series of zones of decreasing temperature, means for controlling the temperature of a zone of said series havinga relatively low temperature by a heat interchange with a separated mass of crude oil in such a manner as to cause vaporization of lighter constituents thereof, means for mixing said vaporized lighter constituents with the vapors undergoing condensation in said zone of relatively low temperature so as to undergo treatment therewith, means for removing the condensates from said zone of relatively low temperatures as an intermediate product, means for passing the unvaporized portions of'said crude oil from said zone of relatively low temperature into .heat interchanging relation with a zone of relatively higher temperature of said series in such a manner as to control the temperature thereof and vaporize lighter constituents of unvaporized fractions of said crude oil, means for mixing the lighter constituents thus vaporized with the vapors undergo'ng condensation in' said zone of relatively higher temperature so as to undergo treatment therewith, means for mixin a fresh mass of oil with the condensates from said zone of relatively higher temperature and means for introducing the mixture thus formed into said heating means.

12. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils the combinat'on of means for heating a mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil to a cracking temperature, a receptacleforming a zone of lower pressure, means for discharging said heated oil into said receptacle, a second receptacle adapted to contain a mass of hydrocarbon oil cooler than the, products formed in said first namedreceptacle, means for discharging the products formed in said first named receptacle into the cooler oil in said second named receptacle, means for subjecting the vaporized and uncondensed products formed. in said second named receptacle to fractional condensation in a series of zones of decreasing temperature, means for controlling the temperature of a zone of said series having a relatively low temperature ,by a heat interchange with a separated mass of crude oil in such a manner as to cause vaporization of lighter constituents thereof, means for mixing said vaporized lighter constituents with the vapors undergoing condensation in said zone of relatively low temperature so as to undergo treatment therewith, means for mixing a fresh mass of oil with the condensates from said zone of relatively low temperature, means for introducing the mixture thus formed into said heating means, means for passing the unvaporized fractions of said crude oil from said zone of relatively low temperature into heat interchanging relation with a zone of relatively higher temperature of said series in such a manner as to control the temperature thereof and vaporize lighter constituents of said unvaporized fractions of said crude oil, means for mixing the lighter constituents thus vaporized with the vapors undergoing condensation in said zone of relatively higher temperature so as to undergo treatment therewith, means for removing the condensates from said zone of relatively higher temperature as an intermediate product, means for preheating a fresh mass of oil by a heat interchange with said mass of oil cooler than said products and mixing it with the condensates from said zone of relatively higher temperature and means for introducing the mixture thus formed into said heating means.

13. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils the combination of means for heatLng a mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil to a cracking temperature, a receptacle forming a zone of lower pressure, means for discharging said heated oil into said receptacles, a second receptacle adapted to contain a mass of hydrocarbon oil cooler than the products formed in said first named receptacle, means for discharging the products formed in said first named'receptacle into the cooler oil in said second named receptacle, means for subjecting the vaporized and uncondensed products formed in said second named receptacle to fractional condensation in a series of zones of decreasing temperature, means for controlling the temperature of a zone of said series having a relatively low temperature by a heat interchange with a separated mass of crude oil in such a manner as to cause vaporization'of lighter constituents thereof, means for mixing said vaporized lighter constituents with the vapors undergoing condensation in said zone of relatively low temperature so as to undergo treatment therewith, means for removing the preheat'ng a fresh mass of oil by a heat interchange with said mass of oil cooler than said products and mixing it with the condensates from said zone of relatively higher. temperature and means for introducing the mixture thus formed into said heating means.

14. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils the combination of means for heating a mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil to a cracking temperature, a fractional condensing means comprising a series of connected receptacles, means for maintaining the receptacles of said series at progressively decreasing temperatures, means for'supplying a mass of hydrocarbon oil to the first receptacle'of said series, a receptacle forming an expansion chamber, means for introducing said heated oil into said expansion chamber, means for introducing oil from said first named receptacle into said expansion chamber and means for introducing all the products from said expansion chamber into the mass of oil in drocarbon oils the combination of means for heating a mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil tofor maintaining said receptacles of said series at progressively decreasing temperatures, a receptacle forming an expansion chamber, means for introducing said heated oil into said expansion chamber, means for introducing oil from the first of said series of receptacles into said expansion chamber, means for discharging all the products from said expansion chamber into the first receptacle of said series, means for'selectively introducing condensates directly from said collecting eans into said heating means, and means for selectively withdrawing condensates from said collecting means as end products. I

16. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils the combination of means for heating a mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil to a cracking temperature, a fractional condensing and vaporizing means comprising a seriesof connected receptacles, jackets surrounding a plurality of said receptacles, said plurality of receptacles having openings in the walls thereof leading into the upper portions of their surrounding jackets adapted to pass vapors formed in said jackets into said plurality of receptacles, a conduit leading from the jacket of one receptacle to the jacket of another receptacle of said plurality of receptacles adapted to conduct unvaporized oil therebetween, a receptacle forming an expansion chamber, means connecting said heating means with said expansion chamber so as to discharge said heated oil into said expansion chamber and means for discharging the products formed in said expansion chamber into the first receptacle ,of said series. 17: In an apparatus for the conversion .of hydrocarbon oils the combination of means for heating a mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil to a cracking temperature, a fractional condensing and vaporizing means comprising a series of connected receptacles, jackets surrounding a pair of said receptacles, said pair of receptacles hav ing openings in the walls thereof leading into the upper portions of their surrounding jackets adapted to pass vapors formed in said jackets into said pair of receptacles, means for supplying a heavy hydrocarbon oil to the jacket of one of the receptacles of said pair of receptacles, an overflow con-, duit connecting said last mentioned jacket with the other jacket of said pair of receptacles, an overflow conduit connecting said last mentioned jacket with the first receptacle of said series, a receptacle forming an expansion chamber, means for introducing said heated oil into said expansion chamber and means for discharging the products formedin said expansion chamber into said first receptacle of said series.

18. In an apparatus for theconversion of hydrocarbon oils the combination of means for heating a mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil to a cracking temperature, a fractional condensing and vaporizing means comprising a series of connected receptacles, jackets surrounding a plurality of said receptacles, said plurality of receptacles having openings in the walls thereof leading into the upper portions of their surrounding jackets adapted to pass vapors formed in said jackets into said plurality of receptacles, a conduit leading from the jacket of one receptacle to the jacket of another receptacle of said plurality of receptaclesadapted to conduct unv'aporized oil therebetween, a receptacle forming an expansion chamber, means connecting said heating means with said expansion chamber so as to discharge said heated oil into said expansion chamber, means for discharging the products formed in said expansion chamber into the first receptacle of said series, means for collecting the condensates formed in said plurality of re ceptacles and means for selectively introducing the collected condensates from one of said plurality of receptacles into said heating means.

19. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oilsthe combination of means for heating a mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil to a cracking temperature, a fractional condensing and vaporizing means comprising a series of connected receptacle, jackets surrounding a plurality of said receptacles, said plurality of receptacles having openings in the walls thereof leading into the upper portions of their surrounding jackets adapted to pass vapors formed in said jackets into said plurality of receptacles, a conduit leading from the jacket of one receptacle to the jacket of another receptacle of said plurality of receptacles adapted to conduct unvaporized oil therebetween, a receptacle forming an'expansion chamber, means connecting said heating means with said expansion chamber so as to discharge said heated oil into said expansion chamber, means for collecting the condensates formed in said plurality of receptacles, means for selectively introducing the collected condenchamber attached to said valve body, a tubular member extending from said chamber in said valve body into said receptacle, means for controlling the passage of oil through said tubular member, a partition positioned across said receptacle and a tube passing through said partition and supported thereby and surrounding the outer end of said tubular member.

21. In anapparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils, in combination a conduit adapted to conduct heated oil under'pressure, a valve body having a chamber therein connected to said conduit, a receptacle forming an expansion chamber attached to said valve body so as to form a fluid-tight connection therewith, a tubular member extending from said chamber in said valve body into said receptacle, means for controlling thepassage of oil through said tubular member, a partition positioned across said receptacle forming a chamber in said receptacle between said partition and said valve body, a tube passing through said partition and surrounding the outer end of said tubular member, and a conduit connected to said chamber within said receptacle adapted to conduct a fluid thereinto.

22fIn an apparatus for the conversion of member extending from said chamber in said valve body into said receptacle, a jacket surrounding a portion of said tubular member which extends into said receptacle, means for supplying a cooling medium to said jacket, means for controlling the passage of oil through said tubular member, a partition positioned across said receptacle forming a chamber in said receptacle between said partition and said valve body, a tube passing through said partition and surrounding the outer end of said tubular member, and a conduit connected to said chamber within said receptacle adapted to conduct a fluid thereinto.

23. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils, in combination a conduit adapted to conduct heated oil under pressure, a valve body having a chamber therein connected to said conduit, a receptacle forming an expansion chamber attached to said valve body so as to form a fluid-tight connection therewith, a tubular member extending from said chamber in said valve body into said receptacle, a jacket surrounding the portion of said tubular member which extends into said receptacle forming an annular chamber around said tubular member closed at its inner end by said valve body and open at its outer end, a passage in said valve body connected to said annular chamber adapted to conduct a cooling fluid thereinto, means for controlling the passage of oil through said tubular member, a partition positioned across said receptacle forming a chamber in said receptacle between said partition and said valve body, a tube passing through said partition and surrounding the outer end of said tubular member and a conduit connected to said chamber within said receptacle adapted to conduct a fiuid-thereinto.

24. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils, in combination a conduit adapted to conduct heated oil under pressure, a receptacle forming an expansion chamber, a second receptacle connected to said first receptacle and adapted to contain a body of oil, a nozzle for discharging said heated oil into said first receptacle, means for introducing the oil from said second named receptacle into said first named receptacle, and means for protecting said nozzle from direct contact with the oil so introduced.

25. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils, in combination a conduit adapted to conduct heated oil under pressure, a receptacle forming an expansion chamber, a second receptacle connected to said first receptacle and adapted to contain a body of oil,- a nozzle for discharging said heated oil into said first receptacle, means for introducing the oil from said second named receptacle into said first named receptacle, means for protecting said nozzle from direct contact with the oil so introduced, and means for introducing a cooling medium between said protecting means and said nozzle.

26. In an apparatus for the conversion of hy-. drocarbon oils the combination of means for heating a mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil to a cracking temperature, a receptacle forming a zone of lower pressure, a valve controlled nozzle connected to said heating means an extending within said receptacle adapted to discharge said heated oil within said receptacle, a second receptacle connected to said first named receptacle in such a manner as to receive all the products from said first named receptacle at a central point near the bottom thereof and means to discharge all of said products into 'said receptacle in a uniformly dispersed radial mariner.

27. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils the combination of means for heating a mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil to a cracking temperature, a receptacle forming a zone of lower pressure, a valve controlled nozzle connected to said heating means and extending within said receptacle adapted todischarge said heated oil within said receptacle, a second receptacle connected to said first named receptacle in such a manner as to receive the products formed in said first named receptacle and means at the discharge end of said first named receptacle adapted to discharge said products in a plane at right angles to the axis of said first named receptacle and in a multiplicity of streams impinging against said right angular discharge.

28. In an apparatus for the conversion of hydrocarbon oils the combination of means for heating a mass of relatively heavy hydrocarbon oil to a cracking temperature, a fractional condensing means comprisingv a series of connected receptacles, means for maintaining said receptacles of said series at progressively decreasing temperatures, means for selectively deliveringcondensates from said connected receptacles to said heating means, means for selectively and simultaneously removing other condensates from said connected receptacles, means for returning said other condensates to said-heating means, means for supplying a mass of hydrocarbon oil to the first receptacle of said series, a receptacle forming an expansion chamber, means for introducing said heated oil into said expansion chamber, connected means between said first receptacle and said expansion chamber for directly mixing a regulated mass of cooler hydrocarbon oil drawn from said oil in said first receptacle with said heated oil in said expansion chamber simultaneously with the entrance of said heated oil into said expansion chamber and means for introducing all the products from said expansion chamber into the mass of oil in said first receptacle of said series.

JOSEPH F. DONNELLY. 

